Filtration sealing system

ABSTRACT

A filtration sealing system is provided for sealing a filter element in a housing at a mating interface therebetween. The sealing system includes a keyed interface. A replacement filter element is provided for such filtration sealing system, with the replacement filter element including a keyed interface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/420,884, filed Apr. 9, 2009.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The invention relates to filtration sealing systems, including filterelements, housings, and replacement filter elements.

Filtration sealing systems are known for sealing a filter element in ahousing at a mating interface therebetween. The present invention aroseduring continuing development efforts in filtration sealing technology,including in the preferred embodiment directed toward improvements inone or more of the following: a system permitting installation orreplacement of only an authorized filter element; a system permittinginstallation or replacement of a filter element only in a givenorientation; improved dimensional stability of a gasket and/or housingin sealing relation along a border; a system providing one-way-only fitof a filter element in the housing; replacement filter elements for theabove systems; improved sealing along housing ports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a filter element in a housing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a component of FIG. 1 and illustratingthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a component of FIG. 1 and illustratingthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a component ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a component ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating mating of the components ofFIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is like FIG. 8 and shows another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is like FIG. 9 and shows another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is like FIG. 1 and further illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is like FIG. 1 and further illustrates the embodiment of FIG.10.

FIG. 13 is like FIG. 1 and shows another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is like FIG. 6 and shows another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an exploded sectional view of a portion of a component ofFIG. 1 and illustrating the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a filtration sealing system 20 for sealing a filter element22 in a housing 24 at a mating interface such as 26 therebetween, to bedescribed. The housing is provided by mating housing sections 28 and 30mounted and attached to each other in any suitable manner, such asclamps, bolts (e.g. as shown in dashed line at 32), and so on. Thehousing has an inlet port 34 for receiving fluid to be filtered, e.g.gas (including air) or liquid, which fluid flows through filter element22 and is discharged as clean filtered fluid at outlet port 36.

The sealing system includes a keyed interface as shown at 38 in FIG. 2and 40 in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of upper housing section28 turned over to view the underside thereof. FIG. 3 is a perspectiveview of filter element 22 having a border 42 which may be composed ofgasket material itself or may have a gasket added thereto. Keyedinterface 38, 40 permits installation or replacement of only anauthorized filter element 22 mating to the mating interface. The keyedinterface permits installation or replacement of the filter element onlyin a given orientation. Filter element 22 and housing section 28 haveborders mating with each other at a gasket 42 therebetween and providingthe noted mating interface. The gasket and at least one of the housingand the filter element engage each other in detent relation providingthe noted keyed interface. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3 gasket 42extends along an extension direction along a perimeter. The gasket hasone or more humped arches such as 44, FIGS. 3, 5, spaced along theperimeter and extending transversely of the noted extension direction.Housing section 28 has one or more concave recessed slits such as 46,FIGS. 2, 4, spaced along the border along the perimeter and extendingtransversely of the noted extension direction and complementallyreceiving respective humped arches 44 therein. The arches and slits maybe regularly or irregularly spaced, and may be symmetric ornon-symmetric around the perimeter. In one embodiment, gasket 42 isin-molded to and integral with filter element 22. The one or moreconcave recessed slits 46 are in the housing border. The plurality ofhumped arches 44 and the plurality of concave recessed slits 46 are incomplemental detent relation engagement and are selectively spaced alongthe perimeter to provide dimensional stability of the housing at thegasket in sealing relation along the border. At least one of the sides,shape and spacing of at least the set of one or more humped arches 44and the set of one or more concave recessed slits 46 is selectivelyconfigured to allow a one-way fit of the filter element in the housingto ensure correct installation every time.

FIGS. 6-8 show a further embodiment and use like reference numerals fromabove where appropriate to facilitate understanding. At least twogaskets are provided, including a first gasket 50 on the filter element,and a second gasket 52 on the housing. The gaskets engage each other inkeyed relation and sealing engagement. The filter element and thehousing have borders 40 and 38 mating with each other at two-part gasket50, 52 therebetween and providing the mating interface. The two-partgasket is provided by at least first gasket 50 and second gasket 52.Gasket 50 has a gasket-engagement surface 54 for engaging gasket 52.Gasket 52 has a gasket-engagement surface 56 for engaging gasket 50. Thegasket-engagement surfaces 54 and 56 engage each other in keyed relationproviding the keyed interface. The two-part gasket extends along anextension direction along a perimeter. Gasket 50 extends along theextension direction to a beveled end 54 tapered along a first taperalong the extension direction. Gasket 52 extends along the extensiondirection to a beveled end 56 tapered along a second taper along theextension direction. The first and second tapers are opposite andcomplemental to each other, FIG. 8. The beveled ends at 54 and 56 engageeach other in sealed relation at the keyed interface.

In one embodiment, the first gasket includes first and second gasketsegments 50 and 58 opposite each other across the perimeter. The secondgasket includes third and fourth gasket segments 52 and 60 opposite eachother across the perimeter. First gasket segment 50 is between fourthand third gasket segments 60 and 52 along the extension direction alongthe perimeter. Third gasket segment 52 is between first and secondgasket segments 50 and 58 along the extension direction along theperimeter. Second gasket segment 58 is between third and fourth gasketsegments 52 and 60 along the perimeter. Fourth gasket segment 60 isbetween second and first gasket segments 58 and 50 along the extensiondirection along the perimeter. First gasket segment 50 extends along theextension direction between distally opposite first and second beveledends 62 and 54 tapered along opposing first and second tapers along theextension direction. Second gasket segment 58 extends along theextension direction between distally opposite third and fourth beveledends 64 and 66 tapered along opposing third and fourth tapers along theextension direction. Third gasket segment 52 extends along the extensiondirection between distally opposite fifth and sixth beveled ends 56 and68 tapered along opposing fifth and sixth tapers along the extensiondirection. Fourth gasket segment 60 extends along the extensiondirection between distally opposite seventh and eighth beveled ends 72and 70 tapered along opposing seventh and eighth tapers along theextension direction. The first and eighth beveled ends engage each otherin sealed relation. The second and fifth beveled ends engage each otherin sealed relation. The third and sixth beveled ends engage each otherin sealed relation. The fourth and seventh beveled ends engage eachother in sealed relation.

In some embodiments, the two-part gasket includes only first and secondgaskets, with the first gasket extending along the extension directionbetween distally opposite first and second beveled ends tapered alongopposing first and second tapers along the extension direction, and withthe second gasket extending along the extension direction betweendistally opposite third and fourth beveled ends tapered along opposingthird and fourth tapers along the extension direction, and with thefirst and third beveled ends engaging each other in sealed relation, andwith the second and fourth beveled ends engaging each other in sealedrelation.

FIGS. 9-12 show further embodiments and use like reference numerals fromabove where appropriate to facilitate understanding. The filter elementand the housing have respective borders 40 and 38 mating with each otherat the noted mating interface and extending along an extension directionalong a perimeter, FIG. 11. The mating interface has a width extendingalong a radial direction relative to the perimeter. The mating interfacehas a length extending along the noted extension direction. The bordershave facing surfaces at the mating interface, including a first facingsurface 80 on the filter element, and a second facing surface 82 on thehousing. At least one of the first and second facing surfaces extendsnon-rectilinearly along the noted extension direction along the notedlength to provide the keyed interface, FIG. 11. In the preferredembodiment, each of the first and second facing surfaces 80 and 82extends non-rectilinearly along the noted extension direction along thenoted length to provide the keyed interface, with one of the facingsurfaces, e.g. 82, receiving the other of the facing surfaces, e.g. 80,in nested relation. In FIGS. 9 and 11, the keyed interface has a V-shapein a cross-sectional plane taken transversely to the noted radialdirection. In such embodiment, each of the first and second facingsurfaces 80 and 82 has the noted V-shape in the noted cross-sectionalplane taken transversely to the noted radial direction, with the V-shapeof one of the facing surfaces, e.g. 82, being a concave V-shape relativeto the interface, and with the V-shape of the other of the facingsurfaces, e.g. 80, being a convex V-shape relative to the interface, theone facing surface of concave V-shape receiving the other facing surfaceof convex V-shape in nested relation. In FIGS. 10 and 12, the keyedinterface 40 a, 38 a, at facing surfaces 80 a and 82 a has an arcuateshape in a cross-sectional plane taken transversely to the noted radialdirection. In the preferred embodiment, each of the first and secondfacing surfaces 80 a and 82 a has the arcuate shape in the notedcross-sectional plane taken transversely to the noted radial direction,with the arcuate shape of one of the facing surfaces, e.g. 82 a, being aconcave arcuate shape relative to the interface, and with the arcuateshape of the other of the facing surfaces, e.g. 80 a, being a convexarcuate shape relative to the interface, and with the one facing surfaceof concave arcuate shape receiving the other facing surface of convexarcuate shape in nested relation.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment having one or more mounting pinlocators such as 81, 83 along the borders, providing in one embodimentone or more given or specific orientations of the filter element and thehousing. In another embodiment, the one or more mounting pin locatorsprovide one-way-only fit of the filter element in the housing. Inanother embodiment, the one or more mounting pin locators providereplacement of only an authorized replacement filter element.

In further embodiments, the filter element and the housing have borders40 and 38 mating with each other at a seal at the mating interface andextending along the extension direction along a perimeter defining anengagement plane, with each border and the seal having a non-symmetricalshape in the noted engagement plane, such as non-symmetrical shape 88 inFIG. 14, or other non-non-symmetrical shapes. In one embodiment, theseal is provided by a gasket 89, and the gasket follows anon-symmetrical profile. In a further embodiment, the non-symmetricalprofile of gasket 89 reduces volume of the housing. In one embodiment,the border has a portion with a heart shape segment, for example asshown at 89. The borders on the filter element and the housing arecomplemental to each other in the engagement plane, which in combinationwith non-symmetry provides one-way-only fit of the filter element in thehousing. In a further embodiment, the filter element and the housinghave borders mating with each other at the mating interface andextending along the extension direction along a perimeter defining anengagement plane and are configured to provide one-way-only fit of thefilter element in the housing.

Further in the preferred embodiment, a replacement filter element 22 isprovided for the noted filtration sealing system wherein the replacementfilter element includes the noted keyed interface. The filter elementincludes a keyed border providing the keyed interface.

Further in the preferred embodiment, a filtration sealing system isprovided for a filter having a filter element in a housing having atleast two sections, the filter element being a first member, the housingsections including second and third members, wherein at least two of thenoted members meet at a mating interface, and with the sealing systembeing a keyed said interface.

The preferred embodiment of the invention further provides a filtrationsealing system for a filter having a filter element in a housing havinga housing port 36, FIG. 15, connected to a flow conduit 90 for fluidflow therebetween along a flow direction (downwardly in FIG. 15). Port36 has a length extending along the flow direction, and a widthtransverse to such length. The width of the port varies along the lengthof the port, preferably providing a lead-in for assembly into the flowconduit. The port extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis 92along the length and has a tapering sidewall 94 which tapers as itextends longitudinally. Tapering sidewall 94 provides the noted varyingwidth. Port 36 tapers frustoconically along tapering sidewall 94. Thetapering sidewall has one or more sealing tabs 96 engaging flow conduit90 in mechanical wiper sealing relation. Conduit 90 may be a resilientflexible material, e.g. rubber, which may stretch as it fits over andaround sidewall 94 and sealing tab 96, or conduit 90 may have afrustoconical taper complemental to the frustoconical taper of sidewall94.

In a further embodiment, the gasket and the housing are configured suchthat a new gasket may optionally be supplied every time the filterelement is replaced. In a further embodiment, the gasket and the housingare configured such that a new gasket must be replaced every time thefilter element is replaced. This reduces concern of the gasket taking acompression set over time at the housing and leaking when it interfaceswith the filter element. The housing may be provided with one or moresnap-fit slits or grooves for receiving the replaceable gasket.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beinferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued. The different configurations, systems, and method stepsdescribed herein may be used alone or in combination with otherconfigurations, systems and method steps. It is to be expected thatvarious equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filtration sealing system for sealing a filterelement in a housing at a mating interface therebetween, said sealingsystem comprising a keyed said interface, wherein: said filter elementand said housing have borders mating with each other at a gaskettherebetween and providing said mating interface; said gasket and atleast one of said housing and said filter element engage each other indetent relation providing said keyed interface; said gasket extendsalong an extension direction along a perimeter; said gasket has one ormore humped arches spaced along said perimeter and extendingtransversely of said extension direction; said one of said housing andsaid filter element has one or more concave recessed slits spaced alongsaid border along said perimeter and extending transversely of saidextension direction and complementally receiving respective said humpedarches therein; said perimeter defines a perimeteral plane; fluid to befiltered flows through said filter element in an axial direction normalto said perimeteral plane; said one or more humped arches are humped insaid axial direction; said one or more concave recessed slits arerecessed in said axial direction; said gasket is sealed along the entiresaid extension direction along said perimeter, including being sealed atall of said humped arches and all of said concave recessed slits, andblocks fluid flow laterally across said gasket transversely of saidextension direction, including blocking lateral flow across said humpedarches and blocking lateral flow across said concave recessed slits. 2.The filtration sealing system according to claim 1 wherein: said gasketis in-molded to and integral with said filter element; said one or moreconcave recessed slits are in said housing border.
 3. The filtrationsealing system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of saidaxially humped arches and a plurality of said concave axially recessedslits in complemental decent relation engagement, wherein said pluralityof axially humped arches are selectively spaced from each other alongsaid extension direction along said perimeter by flat nonhumped gasketsections between said axially humped arches, wherein said flat nonhumpedgasket sections are spaced from each other along said extensiondirection along said perimeter by said axially humped archestherebetween.
 4. The filtration sealing system according to claim 3wherein said humped arches of said gasket have a greater axial thicknessthan said flat nonhumped gasket sections.
 5. The filtration sealingsystem according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the size, shape andspacing of at least the set of one or more of said humped arches and theset of one or more of said concave recessed slits is selectivelyconfigured to provide a one-way-only fit of said filter element in saidhousing to ensure correct installation every time.
 6. A filtrationsealing system for sealing a filter element in a housing at a matinginterface therebetween, said sealing system comprising a keyed saidinterface, said filter element and said housing having borders matingwith each other at a gasket therebetween and providing said matinginterface, said gasket and at least one of said housing and said filterelement engaging each other in detent relation providing said keyedinterface, said gasket extending along an extension direction along aperimeter, said perimeter defining a perimetral plane, wherein fluid tobe filtered flows through said filter element in an axial directionnormal to said perimetral plane, said filter element border and saidhousing border mating with each other and having respective facingsealing surfaces facing each other across said gasket therebetween, atleast one of said facing sealing surfaces of said filter element borderand said housing border being non-flat in said axial direction.